Kroll remains one to watch at Central Michigan

Algoma native Jesse Kroll (No. 21) was named to the preseason watch list for the Fred Biletnikoff Award. The Central Michigan University senior receiver is shown making one of his seven receptions during a victory against Buffalo on Oct. 17, 2015.(Photo: Courtesy of CMU Athletic Communications)

But the Algoma native might as well be an ancient artifact in the eyes of the other receivers on the Central Michigan University football team entering his sixth year on the roster.

“I get called grandpa Jess a lot,” Kroll said. “But the young guys are awesome. We have a really good group of guys that are fun to be around. I love coming in and watching film every day and going to practice.”

Kroll is going into his final season with the Chippewas after receiving an additional year of NCAA eligibility due to missing two seasons with medical redshirts.

The 6-foot-3, 214-pounder was named to the preseason watch list earlier this month for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the best receiver in college football.

Kroll never envisioned being in the running for such a prestigious honor when he arrived on campus at Mount Pleasant, Mich., five years ago.

In fact, just receiving a NCAA Division I scholarship from the Mid-American Conference school was a pleasant surprise for the versatile prep standout that grew up working on his family’s dairy farm.

Jesse Kroll(Photo: Courtesy of CMU Athletic Communications)

Central Michigan was the only program to offer the small-town prospect a scholarship.

Kroll came across its radar thanks to the team’s tight ends coach at the time, Butch Barry, whose father in Sturgeon Bay had seen the Algoma multi-sport talent play and suggested taking a look at him.

“It all kind of happened within a week’s span,” Kroll said about his recruitment.

Kroll almost missed out on that scholarship offer after he was initially reluctant about missing a basketball game in order to take an official visit to the campus.

“He wanted to play,” Algoma boys basketball coach Bob Graf said. “He’s the type of kid if he could have played that night and then drove eight hours to Mount Pleasant, that’s what he would have rather done. That’s just the type of competitor and teammate he is.”

Kroll would have rather not missed two of his first three college seasons with injuries. He broke his left arm making a diving catch in his second practice as a freshman and tore tendons in his ankle two years later during preseason practices.

Algoma native Jesse Kroll led Central Michigan with 61 receptions for 866 yards last season to lead Central Michigan University.(Photo: Courtesy of CMU Athletic Communications)

However, the setbacks helped him decide to pursue a career in physical therapy, which is something he’s doing after earning his bachelor’s degree as a kinesiology major.

“I was kind of humbled by it,” Kroll said about the early injuries. “I think that was a good thing for my growth as a player and a person, just understanding that things can’t always go your way.”

Kroll, who has a 3.71 GPA, received academic all-MAC honors and was a MAC distinguished scholar-athlete last year.

He has made 104 receptions for 1,556 yards and eight touchdowns in his career, which has included a trip to the ESPYS last year for his role in a 75-yard touchdown play at the end of the 2014 Bahamas Bowl that was nominated for play of the year.

Kroll’s highlight from the 2015 season came in front of about 50 family and friends, who made the eight-hour bus trip from Algoma to watch him make seven catches for a career-high 133 yards in a victory over Buffalo on Oct. 17.

Besides the extra support in the stands, the performance was special to him because he was wearing the No. 21 jersey, which had belonged to Central Michigan defensive back Derrick Nash, who died before last season after battling leukemia for two years.

“It meant a lot to play well for my family and for Derrick,” said Kroll, who led the Chippewas with 61 catches for 866 yards last season.

Kroll’s offseason included proposing to his girlfriend on a mountain in Colorado during a spring break trip.

Although his only focus for his final season in Mount Pleasant is trying to help his team win the MAC championship, Kroll knows an opportunity to catch on with an NFL team could be in his future.

“I’m fortunate to be here,” said Kroll, who credits the support of his family, friends, coaches and teammates for his success.

“I’m going to do my best to do my best when the pro day comes around. If I happen to get somebody’s attention and get a shot at it, that would be great. If it doesn’t happen, I think I’ll be pretty happy with what my football career has given me.”